Here is a short list of the best sounding LP’s in my collection: Supertramp, MoFi Crime of the Century; Bill Evans, Analogue Productions Waltz for Debbie (45 rpm), Billie Holiday, Classic Songs for Distingue’ Lovers(45 rpm), The Beatles Love EMI, Jethro Tull Aqualung MoFi and Classic Clarity 45. There are others, but that gives you an idea.

Recently Chad Kassem released the Verve Catalogue on 200 gram, cut at 45 rpm. (Arguably the most storied of the Jazz labels…not to shortchange Impulse, Concord, Blue Note and Riverside.) These new releases were mastered by the late George Marino at Sterling in New York City. And cut on one of Chad’s six new cutting lathes. This one was a Southern Machine and Tool device.

There are several significant differences in the process. First, mastering and transfer duties were not handled per usual by Kevin Grey and Steve Hoffman. Secondly, the lacquers were not pressed and transferred at RTI. And thirdly, for not quite the first time, Don McGuiness and Rick Hoshimoto were not involved.

Now here is the weird part. These new pressings are the best yet from AP! And of the first batch, Oscar Peterson’s We Get Requests, is the best sounding record I own…and that’s out of a selection of over 5000 LP’s!

The surface is impeccably quiet and super flat! The tonality is absolutely natural. The Dynamics kill! And the Micro and Macro side of the shadings is nigh on perfect and the depth is out of the back of the system. If you buy no other LP’s this year (or ever) this is the one.

There is another quality (I thought) pressing of this from Speaker’s Corner, but I have recently learned it was cut from second generation production tape. It sounds good, but totally pales by comparison!

The other initial releases include the iconic Getz Gilberto, Ben Webster Meets Oscar Peterson (another scary good pressing), the aforementioned Billie Holiday as well as her Body and Soul, and both teaming’s of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, Sonny Stitt, and another solo Ella outing.

The series is impeccably packaged with quality inner sleeves, perfectly reproduced cover art, and a to-die-for heavy grade, high gloss outer jacket.

If this isn’t an excuse to start spinning black biscuits, I don’t know what is! Call Chad or Stelly or Chuck and order yourself a turntable and some REAL music! You will not be disappointed!

Future offerings on the “Quality” label will feature variety of profiles including SVP, Clarity and the old MOFI standard, UHQR. From the house of musical mayhem, Speakerboy Out!

We will be featuring five display areas full of exciting audio gear:

1)      The Absolute Sound’s Editor’s Choice Awards System…….earlier this year, The Absolute Sound magazine announced the winners of their annual “Editor’s Choice Awards”….the products that the editor’s themselves would bring home for their enjoyment….this is quite the award and honour!  This year, we are so proud of our SEVENTEEN award winners that we have put together a complete high end system composed of many of our winners, wait ‘til you hear this system!

• PrimaLuna DiaLogue Three tube preamp
• PrimaLuna DiaLogue Seven tube mono-block power amplifiers
• Nottingham Space 294 turntable with 12” arm and Soundsmith phono cartridge
• PrimaLuna ProLogue Eight tube CD player
• Usher CP-8571 Mark II Dancer Loudspeakers
• Fully wired with JPS interconnects and speaker cable

2)      Listen to the fine array of USHER loudspeakers driven by the newest PrimaLuna ProLogue Premium Integrated Amplifier…..the Mini Dancer One, Mini Dancer Two, BE -718 monitor and the first showing in Canada of the new MINI-X bookshelf monitor, be among the first in North America to hear this speaker!

3)      Meet Joe from JPS LABS and have all your questions answered about speaker cables, interconnects and power cords….the best sounding, best value line in the market!

4)      Check out our display of DUAL fully automatic turntables, dust off your vinyl and enjoy LP’s again!

5)      Visit our clearance area, special sale prices direct to the public on some very special, select products, don’t miss this, BIG savings!

Phil, Brian and myself are looking forward to meeting you, and don’t forget to get your free Usher demo cd at our display (while supplies last).

Thank you and enjoy the show!

Allan

By Rich “Speakerboy” Brown

You might wonder from last week’s missive, what the inspiration was for the equipment choice for Corkey’s system. In the 1970’s Pioneer offered several different “Rack-Mounted” sets of gear to its dealers.

At this point in time the manufacturer was ahead of the curve and competing with Marantz in specific to deliver exceptional audio gear. Marantz had already introduced the Model 500 and 250 Power Amps and the Model 3300 Preamp.

Pioneer wanted to up the ante so to speak and offered a Rack Mounted System to its dealers. It was huge and gorgeous! It sported a Spec 1 Pre Amp, A Spec 2 Power Amp, a TXD 1000 Tuner, A CTF 1900 Cassette Deck (three-head no less), an RT 909 10 ½” Reel to Reel (auto reverse, of course) , an RT 707 7 ½” reel deck (auto reverse as well), and an SG 9800 10 band EQ.

In addition to these wonderful toys there were other options that included an RG 3 reverb unit and an SG 2 Dynamic Range expander!

Back in those days, there were numerous Special deals offered by various manufacturers. Not the least of which was Teac. Their display of course focused on Reel to Reel Recorders. Their offering included an A3340S, four-channel deck with “Simul-Sync” (which enabled the operator to monitor previously laid down tracks with those being recorded to be certain all was correct in the time domain.)

There was an A330S0 Deck opposite the four channel unit. The two were upright and stood flanking a Teac 6-channel mixer which was configured for mix down from one deck to the other. It was pretty cool.

There was also space in the center for a three head Teac Cassette. On either side of this below the Reel to Reel Decks were two shelves on which we had set up two Technics SL 1000 Direct Drive turntables outfitted with Stanton 680 EEE cartridges. It was a sight to behold. Vintage gear at its best!

Across the Room was the aforementioned Marantz set up complete with an O-Scope equipped tuner for precision and a switcher which ran a sound wall of mostly JBL Classics, including Lancer 100’s, 200’s and 300’s and Pioneer’s offering featuring “High Polymer” Tweeters with dual carbon fiber 10” HPM100, and several sets of the newly released Technics ‘time-aligned floor standers and rack mount amplifiers.

It is a sad thing that quality sound and visual “WOW” doesn’t’ mean much in today’s Audio world. Those times in which I grew to love the hobby were (and still are) special in my experience. In the days in which one does not even get to turn a paper page, I sadly reflect on what were for me more fulfilling times.

Speakerboy Out!

In the 1970’s, my uncle decided he wanted better sound and came to ask my advice… I then worked at Burstein Applelbee. We had to work up slowly to what became the ridiculous level to which I had become accoustomed.

In these days known to some as the power wars era, it was not uncommon to see 200 w/pc receivers that were nearly two feet wide and weighed close to 60 lbs I set Corky up with a 160 watt per channel Pioneer receiver and a pair or JBL Lancer 166 semi-bookshelf speakers. The speakers were a departure from standard JBL of the era and used a 12” doped paper woofer, a 5 `1/4” mid-range and an aluminum impregnated cloth dome tweeter. It wasn’t enough!

Okay. We added a Sound Craftsman Equalizer.  Ten Full Octaves per channel. Still not enough. (Be aware that the latest review in TAS said that this would all end the solid state vs. tube debate). Quote Mathew Polk…” There two kinds of people on the world. Those who are searching for God and those who want more f!@#ing BASS!”

I pulled out all the stops! Here’s what we ended up with. (I had upgraded my speakers and sold Corky my old ones). His new speakers featured a hand fashioned Tutor cabinet in black forest walnut. 1. 5/” MDF cabinet. Reflex enclosure using two Altec Lansing 515B’s (these are 15” LF for those uninitiated) per side along with a 24” x 24” ‘Voice of the Theater’ Altec multi-cell aluminum horn/compression driver configuration and an Electro-voice T-35 horn tweeter per side!

How were these powered? Funny you should ask. The system was tri-amped! I had learned through many trials the benefits of multi-amping, and knew this would suit the purpose and Corky’s hopes. We used three Pioneer SPEC 2 amps (250 watts per channel) driven by s SPEC One Preamp! A Pioneer electronic crossover handled the duty of dividing the frequencies.

Enough…NOOOOOOOOOO! We needed to be able to record! So…Not one, but two TEAC A6300S Auto reverse, 10 ½” reel to reel to decks were employed. This along with a Teac 400S cassette deck were used.

Due to the complexity of the switching issues, a custom designed multi switcher was employed. This was built by my former ‘parts guy’ Jim Gotch. Jim also constructed a full set of RG58 cables to accommodate the system. (These were the pre Audio quest days).

We had arrived! Favorite record? Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon. Corky had a MO Fi copy which he played to death!  (My beloved uncle forgave the $1500 he lent me to fix my blown Impala engine because of this!) Speakerboy Out!

I`ve been collecting the thoughts, musings and musical opinions from Rich “Speakerboy” Brown, audio industry veteran, music lover and audiophile. We can now enjoy Rich’s varied and gentle outlook on music, audio equipment, sales life on the road, and of course his ever-so-accurate opinions on recordings that makes you want to have them in your collection yesterday!  We`ll be posting them on a regular basis. Over to you Rich…

By: Rich Brown

Subject: “One Night Only”

This is a reprise of sorts. I wrote this up over 12 years ago. I am compelled to revisit this remarkable concert as yet another of the founding brothers Gibb has succumbed to an intestinal failure. Robin Gibb passed away this week. Maurice passed a few years back and as you know, Andy took his own life. Barry Gibb will be the sole survivor

Their legacy is a great one with a career that spanned nearly four decades. In the early days of my life with Klipsch, I frequently stayed at LA Quinta Inns, and ate Subway for dinner. On this particular night I was holed up in a La Quinta in Tulsa Oklahoma with a carton of milk, some 25 oz. cans of Foster’s Lager and a Subway Cold Cut Combo.

In those times, (pre HD) I found myself viewing a 26” GE direct view set and no special sonics. A 2” TV speaker was the audio system. Surfing the channels I happened upon a special entitled “One Night Only.” (And sadly it turned out to be just that…a swan song for a legendary group…The Bee Gees).

I was riveted. Album covers from Odessa, to Grease, to Main Course flash across the back drop of monitors. “You Should be Dancing” opened the show. Strumming a turquoise acoustic guitar, Barry announced they were going to take us forward from the beginning and stated matter of fact-ly, “Now we’re going to shoot back thirty years and bring you up to date slowly but surely. It starts here.”

And then it ramps up. All sustained and driven by his magnificent falsetto. And Robin begins, “…I’m going back to Massachusetts. Something’s telling me I must go home. And the light’s always on in Massachusetts.”

Maurice stands at his minimalist keyboard in a black leather duster and fedora strumming an onyx black acoustic. And then that succulent, immediately identifiable harmony hits and I can’t hold the emotion in place. Yes I rocketed back thirty years.

Over the ensuing forty years they partnered with Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, and Kenny Rogers. This DVD features over thirty hits and will remind anyone who watches/listens that realize it or not they are Bee Gees fans!

The disc covers the big hits, “It’s only words, and words are all I have…” to all the hits from Saturday Night Fever. To the tribute to Andy, “Don’t throw it all away our love, our love. Don’t throw it all away.” And I would be remiss if I neglected to include this big hit from Main Course (which is the first Bee Gees album I purchased), “Jive Talkin’”

This is a must have from any perspective. Musical. Historical. Performance. Video or Audio Quality. Remind yourself you are fans and mourn Robin’s passing.

Speakerboy Out!

The Absolute Sound magazine has been an industry must-read for years…and it’s evolved nicely over the decades. I recall reading my first copy, back in 1977… a gift from a friend who thought I might enjoy reading it. It was a small issue then, only digest sized and all in black & white, but what content!  At that time T.A.S. was a struggling 4 year old specialty magazine, and I was a young audio salesman, age 23, eager to learn all I could in audio… I devoured every word in that issue and the ones that followed!  I was reading articles that I barely understood, words & terms I could barely pronounce, brand names of products that I’d never heard of, graphs of stuff that reminded me of math classes…but what an education!

I’ve read many articles since of course…..and we’ve seen many audio publications come and go over the years. I miss them: Stereo Review, High Fidelity, Audio, they had some great writing, wonderful audio cartoons, special issues (anyone remember the Lirpa products from April issues of Audio?)  But fortunately, The Absolute Sound has survived and is thriving.

I’m thrilled to tell you that PrimaLuna, once again, has won more TAS Editors’ Choice Awards, than any other brand!  A total of 9 awards:

2012 TAS Editors’ Choice Award winners:

PrimaLuna, Vacuum Tube Amplification:

• ProLogue One Integrated Amplifier
• ProLogue Three Preamplifier
• ProLogue Five stereo power amplifier
• ProLogue Six monoblock power amplifier
• ProLogue Eight CD Player
• ProLogue Premium integrated amplifier
• DiaLogue Two integrated amplifier
• DiaLogue Three Preamplifier
• DiaLogue Seven Mono Block Power Amplifier

MYSTERE, Vacuum Tube Amplification:

• Mystere CA 21 Preamplifier

NOTTINGHAM ANALOG STUDIOS, Turntables:

• Nottingham Space 294 turntable with 12” Ace Space Tonearm

THE SOUNDSMITH:

• Soundsmith Paua Phono Cartridge
• Soundsmith Sussuro Phono Cartridge
• Soundsmith Strain Gauge Phono Cartridge System

USHER AUDIO TECHNOLOGY, Loudspeakers:

• Usher S-520 Bookshelf speaker
• Usher CP-8571 Mark II, Dancer
• Usher BE-20

Congratulations to PrimaLuna, Mystere, Nottingham, Soundsmith & Usher…..17 EDITORS’ CHOICE AWARDS from The Absolute Sound magazine…… we’re very proud!

Until next time, enjoy your music,

Allan

We are very proud of the unique audio brands that we distribute and hope you share in the quest for great musical reproduction in your home! Each of the brands we have has their own unique story and position in the marketplace, and we hope you take some time and enjoy browsing through the various sections of our website.

Music and audio reproduction is an enormous passion of ours and each of the products we distribute plays an important role towards this goal! Each brand must meet our rigorous standards and be truly special. As Victor Kiam said about a Remington electric shaver…..,” I liked it so much, I bought the company”…….well, in my case, I’m so taken with the brands that i’ve chosen to distribute these special treasures myself!

A tiny bit about me……this is my 37th year in the audio industry and enjoy every minute of it! Music is such an important part of life……. I’m proud that I have played in a semi-professional orchestra for many years and I enjoy dabbling on the bass guitar and drums. There’s no audio equipment I’ve yet heard that replicates the experience of playing on stage with 79 other musicians, but we can try! I try to listen to live and recorded music as often as possible and enjoy re-introducing vinyl to everyone I can! I love seeing the looks on their faces of astonishment when they hear an LP again!

If you have any questions, please let us know, we’re glad to help!

Until next time, Sound Counts!

Allan